Combination traffic control and flashlight device



Feb. 1; 1944. HEFNER 2,340,530

COMBINATION TRAFFIC CONTROL AND FLASHLIGHT DEVICE I Filed July 14, 1941,

INVENTOR.

' H 5607199 [Zflefner Patented FebJl, 1944 commandos name comm. AND

rmsmrcn'rnavrca "George D. Hefner, Oak Park, 111. Application July 14,1941, serial No. 402,314-

' 2 Claims. (Cl. 240-642) The present invention relates generally to anight use, but more .particulariy to a novel and improved constructionin which a simple or conventional form 01 flashlight is converted into atrafllc control light which may be used at the same time as a flashlight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel, improved andsubstantially indestructible traffic control light which is economicalto manuiacture and can be used to perform the functions of a flashlight,trafllc control light or a policemans club. l

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedconstruction or traflic control light in which a diaphanous member. isdetachably secured to a conventional form of flash light so that whenthe same is detached, it may be more conveniently carried about. 7

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved traflic control light in which a cylindrical formed solidmember fabricated from a transparent plastic material such as Lucite"has its cylindrical surface coated or painted with a red coloring so asto impart a danger signal and at the same time permit the transmissionof the light rays longitudinally through the member so that the same maybe used as a flashlight.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved construction of trafllc control light in which is combined aconventional flashlight having a light bulb, a light reflector and asolid cylindrical diaphanous member made from transparent plasticmaterial and so constructed and arranged that the member and reflectormay be adjusted with respect to the light bulb to permit the light rayspassing through the member to be properly focussed when using the deviceas a flashlight.

These and other objects are. accomplished by providing a constructionand an' arrangement of the various parts scribed and particularlypointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational trafilc control light; 7

- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view partly in cross section of the same; I

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2;and

Fig. 4 is a perspectiveview of the detachable diaphanous cylindricalsignalling member with its associated collar.

view of my improved traflic controlor signalling device adapted for Inillustrating one form of my invention I have shown the same inconnection with a conven tional form of flashlight generally indicatedby the reference character ll. The flashlight in this instance isprovided. with the usual cylindrical dry batteries (not shown) andmounted within the cylindrical casing l l. Mounted on one side of thecasing I l is the usual or conventional slide switch generally indicatedby the reference character 12.

Mounted on one end of the tubular member I I and secured thereto bymeans of rivets l0 is an externally threaded cap l3. Secured to theaxial center of the cap I! is a threaded bulb socket H in which a lightbulb i5 is mounted. Mounted in threaded engagement with the cap I3 is anoutthreaded as shown at IT. Mounted in threaded engagement with thethreaded portion II of the bulb casing I6 is a collar 18 having aninwardly extending annular flange 20. Seated on the outer edge of thelight bulb casing 18 through the medium of a peripheral flange I8 is alight reflector l9. Mounted between the inwardly extending flange 20 ofthe threaded collar I8 is a sleeve 2| whichas a peripheral flange 23.The sleeve 23 is f providedwith a.centrally threaded bore as shown at26. The reflector l9 has a central aperture 22 through which the lightbulb l5 projects. By examination of Fig. '2 of the drawing, it will beobvious that when the threaded collar I! is screwed on to the light bulbcasing IS, the outer periphery or flange l8 0! the reflector l8 and theouter peripheral flange 23 oi'the sleeve 2| are 1 clamped therebetweenfor securing these parts in place. Embracing the bulb casing l6 and thecollar 18 and extending over the flange 23 of the sleeve 2| is acylindrical rubber casing 24'. Em-

bracing the outer end 01' the flashlight casing ll is a similar rubbercasing 25. These rubber cas- 4 ings protect the metal parts andvirtually make in the manner hereinafter dethe traific controlindestructible.

Mounted inthreaded engagement with the threaded sleeve M as shown at 26is a detachable transparent member 21. This member 21 is preferably madeof transparent plastic material such as Lucite and is diaphanous,permitting the lightraysto pass longitudinally therethrough so that thetrafllc control light may be used for flashlight purposes.Thecylindrical surface or the member 21 is provided with a red coatingor covering so that a trafllc ofllcer may signal the traffic in theoperation of the traflic control device.

Summarizingthe functions and methods or operation of my improved signalcontrol tramc light, it will be obvious that the cylindrical member 21may be detached by unscrewing the same from the threaded sleeve member2| so that the two parts may be more compactly arranged for carrying thesame about when not in use. However, when the same is connected up foroperation in the manner indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, theswitch l2 may be actuated to ener- .member 21. The focusing of the lightpermits the distribution or concentration of the light when the deviceis used as a flashlight.

From the above description it will be readily seen that I have provideda simple, compact as well as novel trafllc control light which isvirtually indestructible and may be used as a policemans club, aflashlight or a trafiic control light.

While in the above specification I have described one embodiment whichmy invention may assume in practice, it will of course'be understoodthat the sam is capable of modification and that modification may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the following claims.

What I claim is my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. A trafllc control light comprising a cylindrical casing, a threadedcap secured to one end of said casing, a light bulb secured a bulbhousing adjustable with respect to and mounted in threaded engagementwith said cap. a light reflector carried by said housing, a sleevecarried by said housing and having a centrally located threaded boretherein) a collar mounted in threaded engagement with said housing forsecuring said sleeve and said reflector to said housing, and adetachable diaphanous member mounted in threaded engagement with thethreaded bore of said sleeve, whereby said housing may be adjusted withrespect to said light bulb for focusing the light passing longitudinallythrough said diaphanous member.

2. A trafllc control light comprising a cylindrical casing, a threadedcap secured to one end of said casing, a light bulb secured to said cap,a bulb housing adjustable with respect to and mounted in threadedengagement with said cap, a light reflector carried by said housing, asleeve carried by said housing and having a centrally located threadedbore therein, a collar mounted in threaded engagement with said housingfor securing said sleeve and said reflector to said housing, acylindrical/diaphanous member detachably secured to said sleeve, saiddiaphanous 'member having its cylindrical surface coated in a.

substantially red color for signalling purposes,

and means for adjusting said diaphanous member and reflector withrespect to said light bulb.

GEORGE D. HEFNER.

to said cap;

